Every child matters.
We must make sure that we are working in partnership with Indigenous people to create a better future. On September 30th our board’s 18 schools acknowledge the historical truth about residential schools in Canada and their lasting impact on Indigenous people and communities.
We provide this resource people can use to prepare, bring awareness and educate themselves regarding the importance of Sept. 30th.
The mission of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is to realize each student’s potential within our inclusive Catholic learning community by nurturing and developing their mind, body and spirit. As June is nationally recognized as Pride Month in Canada, our Board will join other Catholic School Boards across Ontario by flying the Progress Pride flag which we have recently obtained at the Catholic Education Centre and each June going forward.
While the Progress and Rainbow Flag are strongly connected to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, they are also a representation of respect, dignity, openness and a universal symbol of inclusion. A visible sign such as the Progress Flag is a sign of solidarity that tells our students and staff that we welcome and value students and celebrate diversity. It also indicates that our schools are a safe welcoming space for everyone.
We believe that we are all created in the image and likeness of God, and we teach our students to honour the dignity in each person by treating one another with empathy, compassion and respect.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board remains firm in its resolve that the work that our staff and students engage in each and every day will confront injustice, racism, oppression, and violence. We advocate for acceptance, healing, and reconciliation. Flying the Progress Flag aligns with our Board’s equity plan and our Board multi-year strategic plan which emphasizes inclusion and belonging, as well as student and staff well-being.
We are pleased to support the flying of the Progress flag and the positive impact it will have on our Board community.
Note: There are several variations of the Rainbow Pride flag including versions that include black and brown stripes to represent LGBTQ+ people of colour. Most recently, graphic designer Daniel Quasar has added a five-coloured chevron to the Rainbow Flag to place a greater emphasis on “inclusion and progression”. This flag is often referred to as the “Progress Flag” or “Inclusion Flag”.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites feedback on its draft 2021/2022 budget until 5 pm on June 28.
If you would like to share your budget views with respect to our strategic priorities and goals for the upcoming year, please email feedback@sudburycatholicschools.ca.
They just submitted their video to smash a world record!
Skills Ontario is excited to announce a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt event. We would like to invite everyone to participate in making history by helping them to break the record for Largest Online Video Chain of People Passing and Using a Screwdriver!
The call went out yesterday to Sudbury Catholic staff and students to help Skills Ontario. Both staff and students have been eagerly participating. Kent MacNeill, remote learning teacher assigned the challenge to all his grade 7 & 8 science students!
Anyone of any age, across the province can join the fun! Skills Ontario’s minimum goal is to receive 251 individual video submissions.
In order, to secure the record please make sure all guidelines are followed, refer to the Educational Guide & Attempt Guidelines and video. For additional information, refer to: Guinness World Record Attempt 2021
All participants must sign a photo/video release form when uploading their video. Participants 18 years and younger must have a parent/guardian sign the form.
All participants will be added into a draw for a chance to win 1 of 20 $50 prizes!
Deadline to submit is June 2nd 2021!
The #SkillsAnywhereChallenge series is a fun way for Ontarian students of all ages to develop their skills and explore the skilled trades and technologies! On the first Monday of every month, Skills Ontario launches a new challenge that test students’ skills in creativity and planning. In the month of April, St. David students combined the fun of the challenge to create a school wide Wacky Hair Day Contest. Students from K-6 showed their creativity and talent with 3 students placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the provincial wide contest!
1st place: Jessica Pawson
2nd place: Jayla Emmanuel
3rd place: Elizabeth Akanmu
Congratulations to Mrs. Beaton and her Kindergarten class for their grant proposal being accepted by WWF-Canada! Pius XII School has been awarded one of WWF-Canada’s Go Wild School Grants. This Spring, the school will work towards transforming their courtyard into an outdoor learning space where the Pius community can connect with nature and nurture Indigenous teachings!
Stay tuned to hear more about how the Kindergarten class is helping nature thrive with #WWFGoWild!
Family Literacy Day takes place every January 27th to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Since 1999, thousands of schools, libraries, literacy organizations and other community groups have taken part in the initiative. Taking time every day to read or do a learning activity with children is crucial to a child’s development and to improving a child’s literacy skills.
K-12 students at Sudbury Catholic schools participated in a variety of activities to celebrate this day!
Here are just a few highlights:
Later in the day, families were invited to virtual story time with Superintendents, Nicole Bedard and Rossella Bagnato. They read the book Cadeaux/Gifts and then joined ABC Life Literacy’s national celebration where Author and illustrator Barbara Reid demonstrated how to use clay to create a picture.
It was a fantastic day for our students, educators and families!
Watch Improving Literacy Together as a Family for more information about Family Literacy Day 2021.
Virtual field trips are a form of experiential learning. With the internet and technology, the barriers of time, cost and location have been removed making a wide variety of learning activities and experiences possible to students. Virtual field trips allow learners to engage with and to learn about authentic artifacts and to explore places important to their curriculum.
For instance, Ms. Reale’s science class at Holy Cross School is learning about the characteristics of living things and the growth and changes in animals. What better way to learn and engage students then a trip to the zoo? Dr. Zoolittle and Roberta the Zebra, shared interesting facts about some animal architects such as the black-headed weaver bird, the burrowing owl, the dung beetle, the meerkat and the beaver. Students traveled safely to the San Diego Zoo and even had time to meet and pet both Shiloh and Justeen, the zoo’s friendly beavers. Students also learned about leaf art and how to make no bake beaver dams for dessert!
If you would like assistance or more information about bringing virtual field trips to your class, contact Christina Raso, Experiential Learning consultant at: christina.raso@sudburycatholicschools.ca.
As we move through our school year, I am delighted to welcome you to the first edition of the Director’s Corner for 2025-26. For this inaugural blog, we focus on a topic that is of great importance to all of us and today’s learners: School Safety.
Under this year’s theme, Together We Lead, I am continually reminded that maintaining strong, safe, and supportive school communities is truly a shared responsibility. The saying “It takes a village” has never been more fitting—creating safe, inclusive, and healthy learning environments requires the combined efforts of students, families, staff, trustees, local safety service providers, and many community partners. At the heart of this shared commitment is our Board’s responsibility to foster a culture of care across every aspect of the learning experience. Through ongoing collaboration, communication, and engagement among staff, families, and safety experts, we offer an educational experience where every student can thrive – academically, socially, and personally.
As your Director of Education, I look forward to sharing more topics, insights, updates, and stories that highlight the incredible work happening across our schools. Together, we are creating a foundation where all students can feel safe, supported, and ready to succeed.
Yours in Catholic Education,
Safety starts with the environments where our students learn and grow. This fall, I am excited to share that six of our schools have received upgraded PA systems that not only support daily announcements but also provide digital emergency messaging during critical situations such as lockdowns. These upgrades are part of our ongoing capital planning, with plans to expand to other schools in the coming years.
In June, we welcomed a new Health and Safety Officer to the Board. This role ensures that health and safety protocols are followed and maintained, supporting the well-being of both staff and students. One of the first projects is a thorough inspection of secondary tech shops, ensuring that safety measures are in place and that good housekeeping standards are met. Over time, this role will continue to promote a positive health and safety culture across all SCDSB schools. I am pleased to introduce Kelley Pileggi, Health and Safety Officer for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.
“Safety is a shared responsibility built on awareness, attitude, and action. With a common vision and collaborative approach, I am confident our combined efforts will drive our success in keeping our students and staff safe.”
September marked Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of connection, compassion, and hope. With guidance from the Sudbury Catholic Mental Health Team, our schools delivered prayers and announcements on Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th) to remind students that help is available, and no one is alone.
While suicide can affect anyone, certain groups—youth aged 15–24, Indigenous youth, LGBTQ2S+ youth, and those with a history of trauma—face higher risks. Families play a vital role by noticing changes in behaviour, starting conversations, and connecting with school or community supports when needed. By working together, we can build stronger safety nets and reduce stigma, ensuring every child feels valued and supported.
For more information about Mental Health at Sudbury Catholic Schools, please visit the SCDSB Mental Health Hub.
At St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of students is just as important as nurturing their academic success. Through the efforts of dedicated mental health clinicians and child and youth workers, the school continues to build a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every student can thrive. This year, St. Benedict students are participating in a variety of programs and initiatives that promote mindfulness, emotional regulation, and resilience.
Grade 7 and 8 students benefit from the support of Jessica Jubenville, the school's Child and Youth Worker. Through Universal Programs, she promotes social-emotional learning, resilience, positive peer relationships, and mental health awareness. Using engaging group activities, classroom workshops, and targeted discussions, she helps students navigate the unique challenges of early adolescence.
Her programs focus on building problem-solving skills, confidence, empathy, emotional regulation, and healthy coping strategies—equipping students with the tools they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
“Through collaboration with teachers and staff, our goal is to ensure every student feels included, supported, and empowered during this pivotal stage of development.” - Jessica Jubenville
Grade 9 students participate in the “Learning to Breathe” education series, led by school clinician Terri-Lynn Veitch. This universal well-being program helps students build mindfulness, emotional regulation, stress management skills, and strategies to support overall well-being.
The program is organized around six lessons based on the acronym BREATHE— Body, Reflection/Thoughts, Emotions, Attention, Tenderness, and Healthy Mind Habits/Empowerment. Each lesson promotes emotional balance, resilience, and focus, helping students reduce stress, strengthen coping skills, and improve attention.
"Students have responded positively to these mindfulness skills, and some have shared that they have begun practicing mindfulness in their own time." - Terri-Lynn Veitch
This year the secondary students in grade 10 are participating in the ‘Regulating Core Emotions’ program with school clinician Jennifer Chapman. This universal program is designed to help students explore key emotions such as sadness, anger and fear. They will learn to understand these emotions, how to manage them and how to handle situations where they overlap through activities, videos and conversation.
When finished students will be better equipped to create a personal regulation plan that allows them to recognize what causes their feelings and coping skills they feel meet their individual needs.
“It has been personally rewarding to deliver this program. I have had the privilege of seeing students take part in conversations and activities that show their personal commitment to their growth and well-being.” - Jennifer Chapmen
Grade 11 and 12 students benefit from targeted mental health workshops led by the school's clinicians. These sessions focus on managing the unique pressures of senior high school, building healthy coping strategies, and preparing for life beyond graduation. Through practical lessons and guided activities, students strengthen resilience, emotional well-being, and self-confidence as they transition to the next stage of their journey.
“Mental health is the foundation for learning, growth, and healthy relationships. At St. Benedict, we are proud to prioritize this essential part of student life. Our clinicians and child and youth workers are the heart of our support system—guiding, encouraging, and empowering our students every step of the way.”
October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and with this, SCDSB’s IMS department is proud to celebrate a full year of the Cyber Awareness Training Program for staff. Since its launch in August 2024, staff have completed 12 interactive modules and are now moving on to 22 new modules for the 2025–26 period. These sessions equip staff to recognize and respond to cybersecurity threats, protecting not only our organization but also personal devices and data.
SCDSB’s Technology Enabled Learning and Teaching (TELT) Consultant, Anne Roberge, has also supported Cybersecurity Awareness Month by sharing monthly cybersecurity tips with our school communities on Facebook and Edsby, linking to meaningful cybersecurity resources on the SCDSB Student HUB. From safe online gaming to privacy settings, these tips have been carefully compiled to empower families and students to navigate the digital world responsibly.
“Looking ahead, our plans for cybersecurity education include ongoing collaboration with IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) to create cyber awareness lessons for junior grades, aligned with the Ontario language curriculum. These lessons will give SCDSB students a strong foundation in digital safety that they can also apply at home.“
Technology Enabled Learning and Teaching (TELT) Consultant
For caregivers and educators interested in strengthening cybersecurity at home, the SCDSB recommends exploring the Cybersecurity resources on the SCDSB Student Hub as well as MediaSmarts, Canada’s Centre for Digital Media. These resources provide practical guidance on a wide range of topics, including cyberbullying, online privacy, safe social media use, and more.
In October, we recognize National School Bus Safety Week (October 20–24). Leading up to this week, SCDSB students across our schools engaged in activities with community partners to reinforce safe bus habits. Programs included:
Bus Safety is not just about knowing the rules—it’s about leadership, awareness, and teamwork. These programs make learning engaging while instilling lifelong habits. Thank you to Intertrain and Sudbury Student Services Consortium for facilitating these vital opportunities for our school communities.
At Sudbury Catholic Schools, our commitment to safety extends beyond the classroom. We are proud to continue strengthening our partnerships with the Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) and the Greater Sudbury Fire Services. Through presentations, initiatives, and hands-on learning, these collaborations foster lifelong safety awareness among students and staff while promoting mentorship and community engagement. We extend our sincere thanks to all safety personnel who work alongside our schools to support safe, caring, and connected learning environments.
Sudbury Fire Services is our dedicated partner in promoting fire safety education across our schools. Students continue to benefit from engaging presentations, visits with fire trucks, and interactive programs that teach fire safety in age-appropriate and meaningful ways. These experiences allow Sudbury Catholic students to learn directly from local firefighters, deepening their understanding of fire prevention and emergency response.
This year, Fire Prevention Week takes place from October 5–11, and Sudbury Fire Services is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s theme: “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” This campaign highlights how to use common rechargeable batteries safely and prevent fire hazards.
How can you stay safe?
For additional local fire safety tips and resources, visit the Fire Education page on the City of Greater Sudbury website.
Our partnership with the Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) encompasses several impactful programs, including the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program, the Police MKWA Opportunity Education Circle, the Annual Truth and Reconciliation Relay, as well as cooperative education and bursary programs, such as the Diversity Advisory Committee Bursary.
In particular, our School Resource Officers play an essential role in creating and maintaining safe school environments. Through annual and ongoing presentations and workshops on topics like anti-bullying, human trafficking, and online safety, they promote awareness, prevention, and positive decision-making among students. These initiatives, along with so many others, have helped to foster trust and strengthen relationships between students, schools, and law enforcement.
For community safety information, the GSPS offers valuable tips and resources on topics such as online safety, personal safety, and traffic safety. Families can explore these materials by visiting the Crime Prevention & Community Safety page on the GSPS website.
For over a decade, Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School (BAC) has proudly partnered with the Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) to host Sled Days — a two-day snowmobile safety program that teaches students in Grades 7–12 how to stay safe and responsible on the trails.
Students learn from officers from the GSPS, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the Canadian National Railway Police Services, and Valley Trail Masters officials about trail etiquette, emergency response, maintenance, and safety laws before heading outdoors to put their knowledge into practice. The event has earned provincial recognition from the Ontario Federation of Snowmobilers and support from Polaris Snowmobiles, which has donated thousands of dollars in gear and equipment.
“In 2025, Bishop Alexander Carter staff, along with the GSPS and community partners, will remain committed to continuing this unique and important program to help keep both students and local trails safe.”
As schools hold their first Catholic School Council meetings of the year, we recognize the important role these councils play in supporting student success and well-being. Catholic School Councils provide a forum for parents and community members to share their voices, contribute ideas, and strengthen school culture. But beyond contributing to academic success, Catholic School Councils also play a key part in promoting school safety and student well-being. While councils do not directly implement safety procedures such as Violence Threat Risk Assessments (VTRA), they actively contribute to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming school environment. Councils provide valuable input to school administrators, advise on policies and initiatives, and advocate for the needs of the community — all of which help foster a positive and caring atmosphere for students, staff, and visitors alike.
To learn more about the role of Catholic School Councils, visit our Catholic School Council page or ask your local school principal for more information.
At SCDSB, school safety is not the responsibility of a single person, staff member, or program. It is a shared commitment – between students, families, staff, and community partners. By working together, staying vigilant, and learning continuously, we continue to strengthen our school communities and ensure that every child feels safe, supported, and valued.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to our schools, community partners, families, staff, and students – everyone who plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children at home, at school and in the broader community. Because it truly takes a village, but together we ensure that the safety and well-being of our students is and always will be our biggest priority.
Thank you for your commitment to making our schools a safe place to grow, learn, and thrive.
